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Cichlid Facts:

Cichlid is a type of freshwater fish. More than 1600 species of cichlid have
been described so far, but scientists believe that the true number of species is
much bigger (2000 to 3000 species). Cichlids can be found in the Great Lakes of
Africa and in the rivers and lakes of South America. They are often kept in the
aquariums because of their colorful bodies and peaceful and hardy nature.
Many species of Cichlids are classified as endangered due to uncontrolled hunting,
collecting of Cichlids for the aquariums, introduction of predators and pollution
of the water.

A Cichlid can reach 0.9 inches to 3 feet in length dependin on the species.
Cichlids are brightly colored fish, whose body can be in all imaginable colors.
Males are more colorful than females. Most Cichlids have a oval shaped body.
Some Cichlids have cylindrical, disk-shaped or triangular body.

Diet and type of food for Cichlids depends on the species. Some Cichlids
consume algae and small invertebrates, other like to eat insects and small fish,
while the greatest number of species consume everything they can find.
Cichlids use several tactics to grab their prey. Some are ambush predators,
others pretend to be dead while some Cichlids mimic color of the body of harmless,
herbivorous fish to lure their prey to come closer.

Cichlids have been introduced to many lakes and rivers in Asia and America.
They are often classified as nuisance because they disturb natural balance in
the newly-occupied habitats. A Cichlid can adapt to the changes in their
environment faster and better than any other species of fish.

Cichlids have the fastest evolutions of all vertebrates. A single species of
Cichlid evolved into 500 new species during a period of million years. Natural
enemies of Cichlids are humans, large fish and birds.

A male Cichlid can be monogamous or polygamous. They often dance in front of
the females to initiate mating and breeding. Some female Cichlids keep
fertilized eggs in their mouth until they hatch, while others lay strings of
eggs on the underwater logs or rocks. A female Cichlid can lay from 200 to
20,000 eggs. Cichlids are devoted parents. Both male and female Cichlids take
care of the eggs during the incubation period. The male Cichlid protects the
nest against predators, while the female Cichlid moves her tail to mix water and
keep eggs well aerated.

Depending on the species, Cichlids range from vegetarian to carnivorous.
They are noted for their complex mating and breeding behaviour. This usually
involves courtship and preparation, maintenance, and defense of the nest and
protection of the new young. In certain species, known as mouthbreeders the eggs
are not placed in a nest but are carried in the mouth of the parent fish until
hatched. This mouthbreeding behaviour is common to many species of Cichlids

Baby Cichlids (fry) remain under protection of their parents until the age of
a few weeks, when they become ready to swim and fend for themselves.
Cichlids can survive from 5 to 60 years in the wild, depending on the species.
5 to 8 years is an average lifespan in the aquariums.